Ferndale grad in coma after beating

Friends and family are rallying in support of a Ferndale High School graduate who is in a coma after a St. Petersburg, Fla., bar manager allegedly broke his neck and fractured his skull.

Jeremy Fisher, 39, was at Suite 6 Bar and Lounge on Saturday, June 29, when he was injured during an altercation with bar manager Blake Ambrester, 24, according to published reports,

According to a statement released by police, Ambrester asked Fisher to leave the bar but he refused and “became physically resistant.”

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“Ambrester took control of Fisher and placed him in a ‘choke hold’ as he escorted Fisher outside,” the report reads.

When Abrester released him, Fisher fell face first on the sidewalk.

Fisher’s sister-in-law, July Morales, said, “Jeremy was beaten senseless. The news reports make it seem like he was intoxicated and fighting, but he did not deserve this.”

Ambrester faces aggravated battery charges. He was released on $10,000 bail.

According to The Tampa Bay Times, Ambrester has a history of violence. In 2008 he pleaded no contest to felony battery charges in a case from Tallahassee, and served jail time for the same offense in another case.

Fisher graduated from Ferndale High School in 1992, and went to Rutgers University on a soccer scholarship. The avid sports fan did an internship in New York before moving to Miami and taking a sports editing job with Sun Sports/FOX Sports Florida. He met his wife, Isis, in Miami 13 years ago and they have been married 8 years.

He had traveled to St. Petersburg for the chance to see his favorite team, the Detroit Tigers. While the Tigers were losing to the Rays that Sunday, Fisher was fighting for his life at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, hundreds of miles from his home. His parents, who live in Oak Park, are now in Florida at his side.

“We are on day four since Jeremy D. Fisher was brought to the Hospital in critical condition. His condition is still the same and now we were informed this morning he is experiencing a pulmonary infection which seems to be a common thing with his injury, ventilator and laying in bed for long periods of time,” his wife posted on Facebook. “Our entire family thank each and everyone of you for the outpouring of Love, support and prayers. Please continue praying for our Jeremy to heal.”